Distillery looks to raise £375,000 to expand into new lines

Winchester Distillery, in Old Alresford, is looking for £375,000 to support this growth and its founder Paul Bowler, currently sole owner, has decided to offer equity in the business crowdfunding platform CrowdCube. 

He said that production of the range of gins, such as Hampshire favourites, Twisted Nose Watercress Gin and Winchester Dry Gin, is reaching capacity at peak times throughout the year so installation of a higher volume still is required to continue to grow the business.

Movement into new product lines such as rum and whisky, both of which have been in development over the last year, will also be able to commence once a brewhouse is created onsite. Hampshire-grown malted barley will be used to create the base spirit for gin, vodka and whisky, as well as processing molasses to make rum.

Paul said: ‘We are delighted to be in the position, with our annual average sales growth of 82 per cent year on year, to take the business to the next level. Having more capacity will mean we can make more of our well-loved spirits so we can enter new markets both here in the UK and overseas.

‘We also intend to upgrade the current space here amongst the watercress beds in Old Alresford so that we can host more visitors for tours and tastings, and open a gift shop.’ 

For more information about Winchester Distillery’s crowdfunding campaign and how to invest from £10, go to crowdcube.com/winchesterdistillery.